Consumer Reports Still Not Recommending iPhone 4

[camarobh]

He gave facts, admitted mistakes, offered solutions. You must be one that cannot be pleased.

Right on. Some people just won't ever be happy.

My wife has an iPhone 4 and loves it. So do I. At the rate they are selling them, and the tiny rate by which they are being returned, time to move on to something else to complain about.

 

[MrMichaelJames]

Just use the iPhone 4. If it works for you, great. If you have reception issues, try a free case courtesy of Apple. If it still doesn't work, return it.

Case closed.

Problem is by the time you can get a free case you will more than likely be out of your 30 day return period. So you are screwed which is why I setup my return today. Tossing it to fedex this weekend.

 

[emulator]

Apple is the best tech company ever. You should be ashamed to have anything negative to say about Apple. Steve Jobs and crew have basically invented the personal computer. What have you done in your life, he knows better than you, just buy Apple products, enjoy and shut up.

You should get the "#1 fan of the day" award. Comes with a bumper you can wrap around your head so your brain stays inside.

 

[dijisurf]

Keep up the pressure CR! Take the fight to these thieves! All the cell phones I've ever used works fine when holding them in my left hand except the iPhone 4.

for some reason all my other phones before my first iphone 3g, had signal issue including nokia, and others, and none of my iphones including ip4 had this signal issue. ip4 works just fine...

0.55% of the phones sold are defective. what dont you still understand??

You can't have any argument against after watching this conference. And don't say the numbers they give are not correct, because they are correct. They are the 2nd largest company in US, their operations and books are under strict watch ad regulations.

so enjoy your day...

 

[ericbrooke]

Did Consumer Reports miss..

..the issues on the other smartphones? If they did I not sure I would trust them..

http://www.apple.com/antenna/

 

[Goaliegeek]

Yea, I'm not gonna listen to a magazine that says you don't need to change you cars oil until 4,000-5,000 miles instead if 3,000 miles. I love my iPhone 4 and think it's the best phone out there.

 

[bobr1952]

Do people still pay attention to Consumer Reports? I used to subscribe a long time ago but got fed up with the totally passionless way they review their products--especially cars where passion is a prime factor in buying a car for many of us. But they do that with everything and although objectivity is an important factor, it is not the only factor.

 

[ImNoSuperMan]

I love how all the Apple fanboys are coming out and saying that Consumer Reports sucks, etc., when before this Consumer Reports was used to recommend the iPhone

They rate it the best smart phone, they know apple is offering 30 day full refund, and a free case which alleviates the signal issue, and still they dont recommend buying it? They should change their title to Blind n Dumb reports instead of Consumer Reports if they cant figure out this much.

They just found the biggest link bait out there and simply trying to benefit from it as much as possible. Other than that I dont see any reason why it shouldnt recommend the iphone 4 now.

 

[gceo]

Good for Consumer Reports. The bumper is nothing but a band-aid. I don't/didn't need a bumper or a case for my 3GS, 3G, 2G. Why for the iPhone 4?

Seriously +1

And to top it off, just when they got the headphone jack right on the 3G, this happens so now I have to find my headfrickingphone adapters again to work with the bumper on.

 

[zacman]

I hope Consumer Reports doesn't feature any other smartphone in their "Recommended List," 'cause they all have the same "issue."

They don't have the "same issue". It seems Apple still didn't understand what the real issue is with the iPhone 4 reception. At least that comes to mind when you see the press conference and their comparisons with other phones.

The issue is NOT that it loses some bars when you touch it (indeed most phones do). The issue is that you drop calls and lose the data connection when you touch the phone even when there still is reception available. And that's a issue that is unique to the iPhone 4.

Even with a bumper or case the data speed of the iPhone 4 is still way under what for example a 3GS achieves when you touch the phone.

And THAT is the real issue.

 

[lllll]

Hahahah. CR still not recommending iphone 4. Steve was pissed. He thought he could sugar coat a rotten apple, but CR knows better not to eat a rotten apple which disguise itself as a caramel apple. LOL

 

[diazj3]

One thing I DO know for sure by multiple personal experiences, is that Apple does stand behind its products and their customers, and will do everything to keep them more than satisfied. I don't have an iPhone, but Jobs' presentation made sense in this regard.

If I were an iPhone 4 user, I would't worry at all. When it comes to Apple products, the only thing I like more than the products I've owned, its the customer service behind them - and none of them have been without problems.

I'd rather have an imperfect product with a reliable customer service, than a product that claims to be perfect - which don't exist btw.

 

[Millah]

Why doesn't Consumer Reports instead just notify people of the "two steps forward one step back" design of the new antenna.

Reception and cellular performance is simply unmatched on ATTs network, the iPhone 4 holds onto calls in low signal areas that other phones on ATT simply can't match.

The ONLY drawback is that you simply must avoid covering a 1mm thick line on the band. Is that really so hard? They've already claimed the iPhone 4 the best phone on the market by a longshot, why can't they just follow through with their words and recommend the phone due to all its overwhelmingly positive qualities, however point out that it does have one MINOR tradeoff.

 

[damarsh]

Consumer Reports sound like a right set of idiots. Who really believes these people anyway?

 

[jplevine]

Didn't CR come out and say that if the phone as the bumper that it works well? Didn't they also like pretty much all of the aspects of the iPhone 4? If their job is to decide whether or not to buy one now, then what is the problem? It sounds like they just don't like the 9/30 deadline. If they are honest, shouldn't they recommend at a minimum buying an iPhone 4 prior to 9/30 and after that, we'll see?

If the iPhone 4 was made with a permanent bumper, no one would even care. At least they give you a choice of color.

 

[persona1138]

They don't have the "same issue". It seems Apple still didn't understand what the real issue is with the iPhone 4 reception. At least that comes to mind when you see the press conference and their comparisons with other phones.

The issue is NOT that it loses some bars when you touch it (indeed most phones do). The issue is that you drop calls and lose the data connection when you touch the phone even when there still is reception available. And that's a issue that is unique to the iPhone 4.

Even with a bumper or case the data speed of the iPhone 4 is still way under what for example a 3GS achieves when you touch the phone.

And THAT is the real issue.

I can make the bars drop by using the "death grip." But I have yet to drop an actual call as a result of it. Same with my wife, and my friends who also own iPhone 4's. In fact, I haven't met ANY iPhone 4 owner who has dropped a call because of the "death grip." (And believe me, I've tested it with friends... I don't have a fancy lab to put it through the paces, sure, but we're talking about every day use here.)

The Consumer Reports analysis comes off like an effort to make some hooplah. No one pays attention if you like the popular gadget. Bad reviews are what get the "clicks."

If what you propose is true, then absolutely... Criticize all you want, CR. But in my experience, the "death grip" just lowers my reception, it doesn't kill it. And really, THAT'S all that matters.

 

[SiskoKid]

Funny enough I don't see them taking back recommendations on these phones. Frankly I don't think they've even tested 'em!


* Samsung I9000 Galaxy S: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LROTHrTR92k

* HTC Evo Signal Attenuation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj2YBYTbag

* Samsung Galaxy 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

* Samsung Galaxy 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPCQdYtPihg

* Droid Incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDE941PzQk

* Droid Incredible (With Network Extender in Room): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpEQH9_A5jw&feature=related

* Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIA_lMwqJA

* Nexus One vs. iPhone (start at 1:29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvMoV4_C4aA

* Nexus One: http://posterous.com/getfile/files.p...n_-_iPhone.m4v

* Nexus One (after Google's update to correct): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2g5J4qPp54

* Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deCkjeHYT-g

* Android G1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDaxhjUs9M

* "Major signal degradation when Nexus One is picked up" (N1 Thread on On this Problem): http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=34ae2c179184c33e&hl=en

 

[Millah]

They don't have the "same issue". It seems Apple still didn't understand what the real issue is with the iPhone 4 reception. At least that comes to mind when you see the press conference and their comparisons with other phones.

The issue is NOT that it loses some bars when you touch it (indeed most phones do). The issue is that you drop calls and lose the data connection when you touch the phone even when there still is reception available. And that's a issue that is unique to the iPhone 4.

Even with a bumper or case the data speed of the iPhone 4 is still way under what for example a 3GS achieves when you touch the phone.

And THAT is the real issue.

My moms Palm Pre will drop calls and lose signal altogether at our home where we have low Sprint service, if she cups the bottom half of the phone where the antenna is. However when I do it on my iPhone 4 (where we also have low ATT), I can make my signal drop to 1 bar, but I have yet to drop a single call or lose data doing that.

Unique to the iPhone 4?

 

[ARF900]

I dont think apple really cares about CR. They aim their products at young people anyway.

 

[Robert M.]

Well said and correct. Steve pretty much tried the "we suck and so do they" argument. That does not build a brand.

Sure, the early adopters will buy the things. But in time the average Joe consumer will need to start buying them and they will be nervous about the bad pub. That is how brands go from hot to cool. It doesn't happen overnight.

I love Apple products, but Jobs is not a god to me. I didn't drink the kool-aid. He screwed up today and looked arrogant.

My wife has a 3GS and is not a techie my any means. She said she is happy she doesn't have the iPhone 4. That is not good for Apple in the long run.

Same here! I respect Steve for all that he's done, but his arrogance is starting to make me wish he would retire already! Also he needs to stop answering emails...

 

[Millah]

Funny enough I don't see them taking back recommendations on these phones. Frankly I don't think they've even tested 'em!


* Samsung I9000 Galaxy S: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LROTHrTR92k

* HTC Evo Signal Attenuation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj2YBYTbag

* Samsung Galaxy 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

* Samsung Galaxy 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPCQdYtPihg

* Droid Incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDE941PzQk

* Droid Incredible (With Network Extender in Room): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpEQH9_A5jw&feature=related

* Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIA_lMwqJA

* Nexus One vs. iPhone (start at 1:29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvMoV4_C4aA

* Nexus One: http://posterous.com/getfile/files.p...n_-_iPhone.m4v

* Nexus One (after Google's update to correct): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2g5J4qPp54

* Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deCkjeHYT-g

* Android G1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDaxhjUs9M

* "Major signal degradation when Nexus One is picked up" (N1 Thread on On this Problem): http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=34ae2c179184c33e&hl=en

Nope none of those phones matter. Only the iPhone 4 has these issues. The iPhone 4 is by far the highest profile and most popular device in the world, therefore these problems are unique to the iPhone and not others.

 

[azzurri4life]

Seriously. I never even hear of consumer reports until this week.

 

[chris.robison]

Right on. Some people just won't ever be happy.

My wife has an iPhone 4 and loves it. So do I. At the rate they are selling them, and the tiny rate by which they are being returned, time to move on to something else to complain about.

Right!

They are selling so fast that mine is still on backorder.

I actually think all this hype is just increasing sales.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Have they tested the Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, Samsung Omnia II, and iPhone 3GS and clearly show they do not suffer from signal attenuation? If not, their recommendations are meaningless.

 

[sswanky]

The same CR editor is going to recommend (or not) some killer household cleaners next week, so stay tuned...